Lebanon authorities release Salafist cleric Khaled Hablas: What to know Hablas was imprisoned for his role in the deadly 2014 clashes with the military and Hezbollah and his release follows Syria lobbying for the return of militants detained in Lebanon. Lebanon
Syria restores Raqqa oil field in former ISIS stronghold: What to know Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, national oil production stood at between 400,000 and 500,00 barrels per day before falling to under 100,000 bpd during the conflict. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Ghalibaf: US must accept Tehran proposal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria Turkey reopened the Akcakale-Tell Abyad crossing on Monday, ending an 11-year closure along the Syria border. Turkey
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Russia, US and the Kurds: The friend of my enemy is — wait, what? While the world squabbles over who is helping or should help Syrian Kurds, the Kurds aren't turning down aid from any quarter. Syria
How Syrian women are gaining new confidence in Turkish refugee camp Syrian women who take part in craft workshops in Islahiye refugee camp learn new skills, earn some extra money and above all find a place of support. Syria
US, Russia compete to woo Syrian Kurds The recent rapprochement between the Kurds and Russia is a new phase in the two sides' relations that date back to the 19th century, but Kurds do not want to alienate the United States either. Iraq
Aleppo on verge of decisive battle UN Syria envoy calls for “urgent initiative” as Syrian offensive in Aleppo appears imminent; the question at the heart of the Aramco IPO offer. Saudi Arabia
US and Syria's Kurds: Love on the rocks? PKK violence is complicating US relations with Syria’s Kurds just as Turkey steps up its cooperation against the Islamic State. Syria
Congress inches closer to handing Pentagon $350 million for Syrian rebels Sen. John McCain signs off on aid request blocked after last year's effort ended in a debacle. Jordan
UN warns of 'catastrophic' breakdown of Syria cease-fire The United Nations warned of a catastrophic breakdown of the Syria cease-fire as the United States said it was outraged by what it initially assessed to be a deliberate Syrian regime airstrike on a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Aleppo. Syria
Russia, Israel navigate narrow straits in potentially turbulent waters Recent glad-handing between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked interest, and intrigue, in the Middle East and beyond. Palestine
Who sent Iranian Green Berets to Syria? For the first time since Iran’s 1980-88 war with Iraq, the Iranian army is conducting foreign military operations. But who sent its Green Berets to Syria? Syria
Will Syria's Kurds succeed at self-sufficiency? Despite major obstacles and challenges, the Kurds are making efforts to achieve economic self-sufficiency in areas they control in northern Syria. Syria
Trump meets the DC foreign policy establishment Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump rolls out his "America First" foreign policy speech, leaving many unanswered questions about his plans to secure the United States and stabilize the world's trouble spots. Iraq
Bashar basking in Baath Party victory The Syrian parliamentary elections organized by President Bashar al-Assad's regime consecrated the Baath Party's domination and led some critics to say Assad isn't interested in a political solution to the war there. Syria
